The Royal Mint has unveiled eight new coin designs inspired by Britain’s flora and fauna – find out which animal or plant is on what coin…

By BBC Wildlife Magazine

Published: Friday, 13 October 2023 at 14:34 PM


The Royal Mint has unveiled eight new coin designs, which include a hazel dormouse, red squirrel, oak leaf, capercaillie, puffin, Atlantic salmon, bees and national flowers.

Approved by King Charles III, the designs reflect the King’s passion for British wildlife.

The coins are expected to enter circulation from the end of 2023.

The 2p coin features a red squirrel/Credit: The Royal Mint

“The striking designs have been seen by His Majesty and reflect his commitment to conservation and the natural world, as well as celebrating British craftsmanship,” said Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Mint Anne Jessopp.

“The Royal Mint has struck Britain’s coins for 1,100 years and this collection will proudly take its place amongst the designs of monarchs ranging from Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II. A unique pattern of interlocking C’s adorns each of the new designs. This unifying feature gives a nod to history through the cypher of Charles II while celebrating King Charles III’s commitment to conservation.”

Chief Engraver at The Royal Mint, Gordon Summers added: “It takes a great deal of skill to create art on a canvas as small as a 1p or £1 coin. The Royal Mint has honed our expertise over 1,100 years and we can’t wait to see the new coins in the hands of the nation.”

Collection of new coins
All eight coins include British flora and fauna/Credit: The Royal Mint

What do the new coins look like?

1p – Hazel dormouse

1p coin
1p coin/Credit: The Royal Mint

2p – Red squirrel

2p coin
2p coin/Credit: The Royal Mint

5p – Oak tree leaf

5p coin
5p coin/Credit: The Royal Mint

10p – Capercaillie

10p coin
10p coin/Credit: The Royal Mint

20p – Puffin

20p coin
20p coin/Credit: The Royal Mint

50p – Atlantic salmon

50p coin
50p coin/Credit: The Royal Mint

£1 – Bees

£1 coin
£1 coin/Credit: The Royal Mint

£2 – National flowers

£2 coin
£2 coin/Credit: The Royal Mint